LAVILLENIE Valentin

General
BROTHER
He says his relationship with his brother has been strained at times due to Renaud's high profile, but that they became closer after he spent time recovering at Renaud's home following his foot injury in 2018. "It has not always been easy to be 'the brother of'. But during this year [following the injury], Renaud has been the shoulder on which I have cried. I really think my brother saved my life. We are so different, and each of us took our own path. Once the injury happened he has firmly put me under his wing and has not let me go." Renaud agrees that it took time for the brothers to bond. "We found ourselves exposed to the media [when Valentin joined the French national team], it was not easy. There were clashes, it took us a long time, but the blood bond is stronger than anything. Complicated situations sometimes make it possible to rebuild connections that have been broken," said Renaud. (leparisien.fr, 25 Jul 2019, 01 Oct 2019)

INJURY LAY-OFF
The foot injury he suffered in 2018 came close to ending his career. However, following his recovery he said he felt he had developed as a person. "My medical staff were always honest with me. Two people looked me in the eye and told me my career was done. Four days later, I was doing things no one expected. Eventually I was told, 'OK, you will get there'. I did not know that 75% of people who suffer this type of injury never run again. I've learnt so much from this experience. I got back in touch with people who I was not seeing anymore, I learnt a lot about myself. I discovered a mental strength I never knew I had." (leprogres.fr, 04 May 2019; athletisme-aura.fr, 05 Nov 2018)